Pilot Episode, Act II

"Of course! That sounds like a grand idea. We can replay the same scenario we just did with our roles reversed. How does that sound?"

"All right," T'Shen says. "Perhaps I should sit down and you should stand up."

When they have physically reversed positions, T'Shen looks up at Edgar and says, "Doctor, I am experiencing an irrational fear that you will amputate my hand to treat a pinched nerve. I require you to comfort me and disabuse me of this erratic notion."

This time Edgar moves to stand at Dr. T'Sen's fictional bedside but before he starts his acting routine he says, "I'd like to point out that the patient probably won't say that he or she requires comfort. This is sort of a given and can usually be picked up the doctor based on posture and facial expressions. In addition, the patient likely won't criticize themselves, using phrases like erratic notion."

"Now then... let's begin the scenario."

Edgar pats Dr. T'Sen twice on the shoulder.

"Now there, not to worry. There will be no amputations." Edgar puts on his sweetest smile and his kindest voice. "Your fear is a normal response to stress. You can feel perfectly at ease now."

Edgar's posture and expression change back to his normal serious self.

"Do you see how I did not mention a prosthetic or anything that would cause undue worry? The best course of action is often to offer the minimum information concerning something bad, and to talk up the positives."

T'Shen lifts an eyebrow. "Are you suggesting that human patients prefer to have medical truths presented in such a manner as to unduly stress positive information and projections over the negative ones? Does this not constitute a violation of medical ethics?

"In answer to your first question, Yes! That's exactly what I am saying and nooo, how could it constitute a violation of ethics? Why would it be helpful to point out every possible doomsday scenario?"

Not so subtle irritation is starting to creep across Edgar's face.

"What I mean is, the outside possibilities are not necessary to discuss because they probably won't happen. What would be the point? I am not in any way, suggesting hiding any real and concrete information, Dr. T'Sen. The mind also takes part in healing. A positive patient outcome is influenced by their state of mind. In fact, I would go so far as to say it is essential to realizing a positive outcome."

And as an afterthought Edgar continues, "I would also argue that medical projections are not necessarily truths."

T'Shen ponders this a moment, then says, "Perhaps we should try a different scenario - one that does not begin with the patient erroneously restating the projected treatment. If you deliver a 'diagnosis,' I will attempt to respond with the type of response a human patient might give in return."

"But, don't you see, that's exactly the kind of thing a patient might do? These quirks are human. You said yourself that you can read human facial expressions well enough, right? Then no matter the illogical nature of the response, you could see that the patient...uh...me... I... was clearly panicked. You react to that, and not analyse the why. They are sick, or hurt, or scared. They want to be reassured.

T'Shen looks unconvinced and, indeed, about to call off the exercise, but she settles back into the "bed" and fixes her gaze on the ceiling. When she looks at Edgar again, her eyes are wide. To the viewer, they probably call to mind an image of automobile headlights. When she speaks, her voice contains no actual emotion, but it is loud.

Quite loud.

"DOCTOR." She seems to be using volume as a stand-in for human feeling. "DOCTOR, I BELIEVE YOU JUST TOLD ME YOU INTEND TO AMPUTATE MY HAND. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS A PINCHED NERVE. AMPUTATION SEEMS AN EXTREME TREATMENT OPTION."

She grips his wrist. It feels more or less like a vise custom-made for the purpose. "DOCTOR, I NEED MY HAND. I CANNOT BEAR THE THOUGHT OF LOSING IT. PLEASE TELL ME YOU WILL NOT MUTILATE MY LIMB UNNECESSARILY. PLEASE."

Diving into character again Edgar responds, "Now, now, no need to be alarrrmed..... AGGHHH you are going to break my wrist!! Please let go this instant Dr. T'Shen!

Edgar's face is contorted in pain. He reflexively reaches for Dr. T'Shen's arm...

T'Shen immediately releases her grip on his wrist. At first, she seems about to apologize, but then Edgar can see her clearly re-committing to her role. "I'M SORRY, DOCTOR. I AM JUST SO DISTRAUGHT OVER THE PROSPECT OF LOSING MY HAND. PLEASE DON'T REMOVE MY HAND, DOCTOR."

Relieved that his wrist is free, Edgar throws up his hands, palms on both cheeks, forgetting about his wrist for a moment. But a jagged pain reminds him of the grip from Hell. He grunts, grabs his wrist and massages it. His facial expressions cycle through horror, pain and embarrassment.

Stop! Stop! This is NOT working Dr. T'Shen! You are getting far too carried away with this exercise.

T'Shen rises from the chair. As Edgar is about to unleash more abuse on her, she very calmly and deliberately...

Slaps him.

It's a relatively light touch, bringing more sound than force, but he feels a definite impact.

"Forgive me, counselor. But you seemed to be losing control, and I have observed from human literature and entertainment that a slap in such a situation is considered to be an effective way of restoring a person's self-possession."

Edgar is stunned. Did she really just slap me in the face? was written all over his countenance.

He raises a hand to his stinging cheek and says "ouch!" and collapses onto the other chair. Contradictory emotions are vying for prominence. Pain, embarrassment, and even amusement, flit across his face. Then a smile starts slowly appearing, followed by a heartfelt burst of laughter at how preposterous the current situation had become.

"Oh Dr. T'Shen.... my self-possession has been truly restored." More laughter, followed by a few tears.

Once his fits of laughter pass, Edgar sighs and takes a deep breath.

"Ok Dr. T'Shen. I know you are only doing your best and perhaps I did rather overreact. You hit a few nerves too and...true to human behavior I responded as one generally does under those circumstances."

"Do you think we could reset and perhaps try a different approach? But on another day? I have to confess I am exhausted."

T'Shen watches Edgar's turbulent emotional journey with keen interest."Of course, counselor. If I have caused you distress, I offer my apologies. I only hope that my... hitting your nerves will yield some positive results for you. I will leave you now."

She walks toward the office door but stops just short of triggering its automatic opening and turns back to Edgar. "As counselor, you will be responsible for the mental well-being of the entire crew. But there is no role designated to support your own mental health. While this incident may have proved that I lack some of the necessary sensibilities to provide emotional support, I am still capable of listening, and if desired, providing an alternative perspective."

She pauses, then adds, "In other words, as you humans say, my door is always open."

Nodding, she turns toward the door and leaves the office.Fan Mail Awarded: 1
Budget Spent: 1
Budget Added to Pool: 1
Audience Pool: 9

Camera angle from outside: the Hodgkin recovers one last shuttle craft, the shuttle bays closing. It is facing slightly away from the station.

The view shifts to the view to the bridge, where Liaison Officer Oobadek watches the bridge crew continues to execute the disembarkation maneuver in progress.

The helmsman starts with, "Course laid in, Captain."

Captain Tabitha McCurry raises a hand and points, saying, "Ahead one-quarter impulse."

The view again from the outside shows the Hodgkin's engines glow brighter. The ship elegantly, smoothly moves forward.

The view again shows L.O. Oobadek facing the main viewscreen on the Bridge. Gaia station slides away to the ship's right, as it moves into space. All around him, station operators all turn, taking a moment to let the momentous occasion sink in.

The helmsman reports, "We are underway, sir."

Lt. Altok Leya lets out twin cheers, and L.O. Oobadek glances at them, eyes widening. He looks at the Captain, but she only smiles. To Oobadek, it looks like a grimly bitter smile.

The Inphirian officer bows his head lightly, in deference to the event.

"There's nothing quite like that first departure of a new mission," says McCurry to no one in particular, watching the whole scene unfold with no small amount of awe and excitement. Leya's whoops draw her attention, and she gives a quick, tight smile of recognition -- the joy she can't quite express so openly in her position of command.

She gives instructions to continue on course under standard Starfleet operating procedures, and addresses Edgar and Oobadek in turn. "We've got some time before we arrive at our destination. This would be a good opportunity to discuss Inphirian diplomatic protocols, so that we don't suffer any misunderstandings. Let's convene in the ready room, shall we?"

Turning to Pleiades, she says, "Lt. Commander Hamilton, you have the conn."

Without waiting for assent from the others, she calmly goes into the ready room. It now bears significant signs of having some degree of organization and decorative scheme: Early Modern Sparse. The captain clearly loves dusty antique books, that much is clear, but for the most part, there is little clutter, and everything is neatly arranged in a very specific place. The only significant item on the captain's desk is a gleaming scale model about a foot long of the USS Vega, which was the captain's first command.

As the others enter, she says, "Liaison Officer Oobadek, would you please start by giving us some general principles that we should make sure our crew is aware of regarding communicating with your people?"

Oobadek moves to a free wall, faces McCurry, and says, "Thank you for allowing me to witness the departure, Captain. I'm sure protocols were stretched to accommodate, and I appreciate it that." He pauses for a moment, then continues.

"In our first encounter, what went wrong was the order of precedence. Inphirians believe, at our core, that one approaches, the second acknowledges, the first states intentions, the second responds. There are of course,a multitude of variations, but that quartet serves as a baseline."

He shakes his head. "It is terribly rude for me to proceed this way, and I only do so as my experience with Starfleet has taught me that you should not find this uncouth. I am doing my best to fit in."

He looks at Edgar. "Am I fitting in, Counselor? Have the complaints continued unabated? I do wish to do be of use."

"Oh of course you are of use Officer Oobadek! But uh...people ...humans...at least...will always complain about something. It's part of human nature I suppose. Add to that a natural impulse to be wary of someone different and....well...there haven't been any complaints of late....no."

Smiles graciously, in the human style. It's something about looking like you are sleepy in the eyes.

"Excellent. I've prepared a number of steps to walk you through how that basic quartet applies in modern attraction and interstellar communication. The informal had been sent to your PADDs. If we can all begin at the top of the list, you'll see that..."

The shot blurs, the background him of the starship in operation grows louder as the meeting continues but muted to the viewer.

A short while later, or a lengthy one given the frazzled state of the three occupants, Oobadek is still continuing. He's taken to sitting cross legged on the floor, reviewing the protocols of his PADD aloud.

"Next, we're likely to run into an Inphirian cruiser, perhaps either the Cerium or the Yttrium, as you would call them. When approaching an Inphirian ship, it is recommended that you..." he begins to read slower, "Lower shields so as to demonstrate..."

Oobadek looks up and sits straighter. He continues. "Sorry. ... to demonstrate peaceful intentions. This is recommended particularly due to previous misunderstandings for which the commodores remain rightfully suspicious."

He flips through the material further without speaking.